The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1887-12-15
CHILDREN HALF PRICE.

woman il all the essential virtues of
character, but sLe had one peculiars
ity that had grown and developed
until il became The shadow of O sin.
She never meant to be dishonest |
Yet she ground her washer -woman's
wages down to the uttermost far-
thing, and paid her butcher and ba.
ksr with such grudging reluctance,
that they almost hated to touch her
money.
Often as she read her Bible che
never had weighed that frequent
sentiment about opposing the poor.
She would not have picked pock-
ct for the world but il the conductor
Of the street car failed to notice her
ticket in the obscure position in
which she held il, and passed on,
she slipped it back into her purse
and inwardly congratulated herself
on stealing a ride.
Mrs. Wilkins had one child, lit
tie boy.
She loved the child dearly aud
never acknowledged to berself that
she grudged him either food to eat
or clothes to wear.
But when she took the innocent
little fellow on the street Cur with
her she snnggled him up and treat
ed him like an infant in order to es-
cape paying fare.
Three cents for him. said the
conductor one day.
What You surely don't take
fare for babies 7 she remarked iu-
Cignnntly.
For babies over s years old we
do, said the inhexible official
Fare, mama.
She paid it, grumbling all the
while and protesting against such
outrageous robbery
Little Harley was q thoughtful
child. That night, when his mother
was saying goodnight to him with
great tenderness, he asked in a
Speculative way
Mamma, did God charge you a
great deal for me l.? Do little boys
come very dear y
'1Eh 3 Eniey WIKI rs. What pat
such an idea into her head p asked
his mother in great surprise.
Cause you cant pay for me-
mamma and l think when God
sends little boy iuto the world, he
ought to give him enough money to
pay his ear fare
Mrs. Wilkins was not woman OF
tho fiue seusibilities, but she was
impressed for the time by Harley 8
childish reasoning. Then the old
habit asserted d itself again. Her
husband supplied her with mons
ey for all incidental expenses,
and had 10 idea of the singular form
in which her economy manifested it,
self
Mrs. wilkins went to visit an aunt
and took Harley with her. The
4 child was delighted at the prospect
of long ride on the steam car, and
set out with merry heart. His ma
ture was shrinking and sensitive,
the result of a very delicate consti,
tuition, and pleasure as well as pain
took a starng hold upon him.
sit next to the window, Harley,
said his mother when they took seats
in the Car, and the boy was very
willing, as he wanted to see all he
could.
'Dou't sit up 30 straight lean
down in the corner more, said bis
mother, throwing shawl about his
small figure.
q But it hurts me here, mamma,
demonstrated the child, placing his
hand on his heart.
Presently the conductor came in
aud began taking mp the tikets,
Children half price, he said "a
fare aud half, ifyou please, ma'am.
Harley shrunk lower into the seat;
he would gladly have made hims elf
invisible.
sit up, my little man. said the
conductor kindly, while Mrs. Will
kius fumLled in her purse, aud pros
tested that she had no more change.
How old is the boy 7 asked the
CONDUCTOR.
He is 6 years old ESQ he is), she
said to herself.
with two years added to it. I'm
sorry, ma'am, but l must have his
fare. He is too old to ride free.'
This incidens spoiled all the pleas